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Thomas covers both the quantitative and verbal sides of the GRE, drawing on a math-heavy science background that spans calculus through statistics and a graduate education built on reading and writing analytically. For the Quantitative Reasoning section, he digs into probability, number properties, and data interpretation — areas where many test-takers lose easy points. On the Verbal side, he teaches strategies for breaking apart dense reading passages and eliminating answer choices systematically.

Elizabeth scored 730 Verbal and 770 Quantitative on the GRE and teaches exclusively from ETS materials, since those mirror test-day question styles more closely than third-party prep books. She built her approach over years of classroom instruction at American University and Princeton Review, creating structured guides for every section — from Data Analysis formulas to Issue Essay frameworks — so students always know exactly what to study next.
Ruth has taken the GRE from both sides — as a test-taker entering her PhD program in Criminology and as someone who now teaches all three sections. Her doctoral training sharpens the Analytical Writing component, while her math teaching background means she can break down Quantitative Reasoning problems involving probability, combinatorics, and data interpretation without relying on shortcut tricks. Rated 4.9 by students, she builds section-specific strategies that adapt to each person's score gaps.
Preparing for the GRE as a whole means juggling Verbal, Quantitative, and Analytical Writing — three sections that reward very different skills but share a common thread of logical reasoning. Irina's science background covers the quantitative side, while her years of teaching English abroad and earning an MPH give her genuine range across the verbal and writing sections. She builds study plans around diagnostic weaknesses rather than generic timelines.
I am a graduate of Grinnell College, a private liberal arts college located in Grinnell, Iowa. I have a Bachelor of the Arts in Computer Science from Grinnell's Department of Math and Computer Science. Since graduation I have tutored students of a wide variety of ages and background in a number of subjects. I have tutored middle school students in the Chicago area in Math and science and high school students in advanced Math, chemistry, writing, and helped them prepare for standardized tests for college admittance. I have also tutored adults preparing for academic proficiency tests for their jobs and with GRE prep for those interested in going to graduate school. Additionally I have taught English grammar, reading, and conversational skills to ESL students in Chicago, Ecuador, and Colombia. While I tutor a number of subjects, I particularly enjoy helping students with standardized test strategy and following their scores as they increase towards their goal. When I tutor, I aim to lead students to an answer by example so that they can see the reasoning involved themselves, rather than me just telling them the answer. The more the students can come to their own solutions, the more memorable the lessons will be. In my spare time I enjoy reading, playing skill games like scrabble, bridge, and poker, and outdoor activities like biking, camping, and canoeing when the weather is nice.
Scoring 5s on both AP English exams and the AP Psychology exam, Destiny knows how to dissect reading passages under pressure and construct tight analytical arguments — two skills that drive GRE Verbal and Analytical Writing scores. Her psychology background at Howard University also built the quantitative reasoning habits (interpreting data, working through statistical relationships) that carry over to the GRE's math section. She breaks the test into repeatable strategies so students spend less time second-guessing and more time executing.
Reviews from students: "I loved how you explained math. You were able to explain formulas so they made sense and it was engaging. Thank you for making math interesting." - Ferol Conklin "I have published over 20 articles, and no one has ever edited my articles as thoroughly or as helpfully as you did." - Mark Ragel "The instructor was the best I had at this university." - Spanish student, University of Illinois "Elle was kind, patient, and funny. She seemed to really enjoy teaching." - Spanish student, University of Illinois I have three years professional teaching experience and several years of tutoring experience. I have always been a teacher at heart. I feel my biggest strength as a tutor is looking at material from the perspective of the student. I have also been described as a calm, patient, passionate, and fun tutor. I think lesson plans should be interesting to motivate students to care about the subject and engage in the process of learning. I worked as a Spanish TA at the University of Illinois for two years as as the main instructor for over 200 students. I have also worked as a middle school teacher. I have experience tutoring a variety of subjects, including test prep, reading and writing, and various levels of math. My degrees are in Linguistics, Spanish, and Journalism, with a minor in Math.
I'm not tutoring or buried in my textbooks, you will either find me rock climbing at the Triangle Rock Club, playing Ultimate Frisbee, working on my car, or enjoying the great outdoors (beaches, mountains, forests--you name it, I love it). On rainy weekends I enjoy tinkering with computers and old electronics, playing Pokemon, or picking at my guitar.
I am an interdisciplinary educator with an Ed.M. from the Harvard Graduate School of Education and a B.A. from Dartmouth College. My background is primarily in integrated arts learning and museum education and I specialize in visual arts, history and art history, and object-based learning. In all subjects, I take a creative, inquiry-based and learner-centered approach, designing opportunities for each unique individual to meet their learning goals.
I am a recent graduate from a masters program in biostatistics at Columbia University. I received my Bachelor of Arts in biological sciences, with a focus in neurobiology at Northwestern University. In August, I will be starting a doctoral program in biostatistics at NYU. I was a teaching assistant at Columbia University in my department and also have tutored graduate students and undergraduates privately as well. My primary areas of tutoring are math and statistics coursework in addition to math sections on standardized tests such as the GRE and GMAT. I am very passionate about helping students feel more confident and excited about math. In my spare time, I enjoy running, playing piano, and spending time with friends and family.
I am a graduate of Wesleyan University, where I received my Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with High Honors. With eight years of experience working in education, I've tutored students in math, science, history, and English, as well as helped students prepare for standardized tests. I've guided adults towards passing the US Citizenship Exam and taught English in India, where I lived for six months. Whenever I work with a student I personalize the lessons to fit their particular learning style, since I know every student is unique and having the right fit can make all the difference in making learning fun and effective. My strengths are tutoring the social sciences and humanities, as well as making math and standardized tests approachable to students that normally don't like those subjects. In my spare time I like traveling, spending time in the outdoors (climbing & backpacking), meditation, and playing soccer. Next fall I will be beginning my PhD in Education at Harvard University.
I am a junior Mechanical Engineering major at Yale, and I hope to become a Naval Aviator after college. I am also a varsity sailor, and enjoy playing music with friends when I can get some free time. I have been tutoring my fellow students throughout my entire academic career, and I would best describe my tutoring style as one that adapts to each students' needs. For example, I have always tried to frame questions in a different way so that the student can better understand the question. Some students need visual representations of numbers and systems to understand them, and others benefit more by understanding the concepts behind each formula. I prefer to tutor in math and physics, and especially with real world application problems. I hope to help students improve their standardized test scores and their understanding of the math and sciences so that they can achieve their academic goals!
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Frequently Asked Questions
Score improvement depends on your starting point and effort, but most students see meaningful gains through personalized instruction. Many students improve their overall score by 5-10 points or more when they work with a tutor to identify weak areas and develop targeted strategies. The GRE is scored from 260-340, so even a few points can make a real difference for competitive graduate programs. Your improvement will depend on your baseline, how much time you dedicate to practice, and whether you focus on your specific challenges—like timing issues on the Quant section or reading comprehension strategies on the Verbal section.
Time management is one of the biggest challenges students face on the GRE, especially on the Quantitative section where you have roughly 90 seconds per question. Effective strategies include: learning to quickly identify easier questions and prioritizing them first, knowing when to move on from a difficult problem, and practicing with full-length timed tests to build your pacing instincts. A tutor can help you develop a personalized approach based on whether you typically rush through problems or get stuck perfecting your work. The Verbal section requires similar discipline—skimming effectively, managing your time across different question types, and not over-reading passages.
The Quantitative section (51 minutes, 40 questions) tests math through data analysis, algebra, and geometry, while the Verbal section (65 minutes, 40 questions) focuses on reading comprehension, text completion, and sentence equivalence. Neither section is inherently "harder"—it depends on your strengths. Students who struggle with math often find Quant more challenging, while those who read quickly may find Verbal easier. However, Verbal can be deceptively tricky because many students underestimate the vocabulary and nuance required. Personalized tutoring can help you diagnose which section needs more work and build specific strategies for each question type.
Most students benefit from taking 4-6 full-length practice tests throughout their GRE prep, spaced strategically to build stamina and track progress. A typical approach is to take one diagnostic test early to identify weak areas, then take practice tests every 1-2 weeks as you study, with your final test about a week before test day. The GRE's adaptive format means you need real practice tests rather than just drilling individual questions—they help you experience the actual test structure and timing. Between practice tests, focus on targeted drills for your problem areas. A tutor can help you interpret your results and create a study schedule that's realistic for your timeline.
GRE reading comprehension challenges students because passages are dense and questions often have subtle distinctions between answer choices. Effective strategies include: reading actively to identify the main idea and author's purpose rather than trying to absorb every detail, using the "tone" and "structure" to guide your answers, and practicing with the actual GRE question types (multiple choice, select-all-that-apply, and sentence selection). Many students also improve by reading challenging material like academic journals and dense articles outside of test prep. Common mistakes include overthinking questions, choosing answers that sound good but don't match the passage, and spending too much time on a single passage. A tutor can teach you to identify what the question is really asking and spot trap answers.
Test anxiety on the GRE is common because the adaptive format and high stakes can feel overwhelming. Building confidence through practice is key—the more comfortable you are with the format and timing, the less anxious you'll feel on test day. Specific strategies include: taking full-length practice tests under realistic conditions to demystify the experience, developing a test-day routine you've practiced, learning to let go of difficult questions instead of spiraling, and using breathing or grounding techniques if you feel anxious during the test. Many students also benefit from talking through their fears with a tutor, who can help you build a realistic study plan and celebrate progress along the way. Remember that a single GRE score doesn't define you, and most schools allow you to retake the test.
Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who specialize in GRE prep and understand the specific challenges you're facing. When choosing a tutor, look for someone with strong scores on the GRE themselves, experience teaching the test to students at your level, and a teaching style that matches your learning preferences. Whether you need help with one specific section or comprehensive prep, the right tutor will create a personalized study plan based on your goals and timeline. You can discuss your target score, how much time you have to prepare, and any anxiety or weak areas you want to address—then get matched with someone who can help you succeed.
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